This study will compare the effectiveness of a psychoeducational memory program versus a computerized memory program in individuals with mental illness. Although improvements are expected with both form of interventions, we do not know which will provide maximal benefit in this population.

Further study details as provided by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton:

Primary Outcome Measures:

Declarative Memory Measure - Hopkins Verbal Learning Test [ Time Frame: Participants will be asked to complete this measure prior to the start of the intervention and again at the completion of the intervention (i.e., interval of 5 weeks between pre and post measurements). ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Individuals participating in either protocol (i.e., top-down or bottom-up) will complete the memory measure before the commencement of the treatment and again at the end of treatment.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Mood Measure - Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1993) [ Time Frame: Participants will be asked to complete this measure prior to the start of the intervention and again at the completion of the intervention (i.e., interval of 5 weeks between pre and post measurements). ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Other Outcome Measures:

Functional - Multifactorial Metamemory Questionnaire (Troyer & Rich, 2011) [ Time Frame: Participants will be asked to complete this measure prior to the start of the intervention and again at the completion of the intervention (i.e., interval of 5 weeks between pre and post measurements). ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Two types of memory protocols (psychoeducational vs computerized) will be compared in a population of individuals with mental illness.

Other: Memory Intervention

A comparison of two type of memory intervention protocols; a psychoeducational/intervention protocol versus a computerized memory protocol in a population of individuals with mental illness.

Detailed Description:

The aim of the current study is to compare two memory strategies, a top-down (i.e., educational and interventional)protocol vs. a bottom-up (computerized)protocol, in a population of individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Performance on ecologically validated memory tasks will be measured before and after each intervention protocol. Improvements are expected following each protocol. However, there is no evidence available to support added benefits from one protocol over another. As such, the current study will endeavour to contrast the two intervention types (top-down vs. bottom-up) to determine which, if any, provides maximal benefit.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 65 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Memory impairment equivalent to 1.5 std. dev. below average for age

Speak and read English fluently

Exclusion Criteria:

Older than 65 years of age

Significant visual impairment (e.g., cataracts, macular degeneration)

Motor impairment (e.g., hemiplegia on dominant side)

Diagnosis of Dementia

Alcohol and/or substance abuse (in past 3 months)

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01708200